Both very tall: Pavlik taller by an inch and a half...actually. Both powerful. Hearns has the slight edge in power and a SIGNIFICANT edge in handspeed. Pavlik with the edge in recuperative abilities it would seem, but not necessarily an distinct edge in chin. What happens here?
Pavlik has a chance, but I dont think he survives Tommy's early onslaught. Hearns had much faster hands than Taylor, WAY more power, actually punched straight, and most importantly Tommy was a FINISHER. Hearns KO 4. BTW- Hearns gives Taylor the James Shuler treatment.
Difference between Pav and Hearns is Pav's power is more of a heavy handed wear you down kind of power whereas Hearns was more of a straight hurt you know kind of power. Hearns stops you in the first few rds, Kelly usually gets you in about 6 or 7. Plus Hearns was a much better skilled and complete fighter and unlike Pavlik, he wasn't sloppy. Hearns KO 2
I want to see more of Pavlik before we match him up with legends like Hearns. Even now however i wouldn't be so quick as others are here in picking Tommy at 160. Kelly is a massive middleweight with power in both hands while Hearns though technically excellent was very fragile at 160. I'd be shocked if the fight went more than 6 rounds either way though.
Yeah, but all Pav is a puncher. JT had a few rds of success countering him so I'd expect Tommy could easily do the same thing if he ever felt the need to minimize taking punches from Pavlik. Tommy is just a better fighter period.
No question Hearns is a better fighter but this is case where it may not matter. Tommy was better than Iran Barkely as well. Both Pavlik and Hearns have the ability to put each other to sleep. P4P it's Hearns 99 times out of 100, but at 160* i wouldn't be betting the house on the Hitman.
Hearns wasn't that good at 160, but if he got Plavik as hurt as Taylor did, he'd be able to pull the trigger without busting his nut.
Well comparing him to Pavlik, Hearns destroyed Roldan at 160. Roldan was much better than Miranda. Also Tommy would have quickly, and easily disposed of sloppy ass Taylor.
I tend to think that Hearns would take out Pavlik in about 3 rounds..based in part on what Taylor almost did to Pavlik in round 2.
Please. You are the one who always pulls the Barkley card whenever it is about Hearns. It is silly to base MMs on one fight, not to mention one moment of one fight
Thank you!!! This is slightly ridiculous. We need to see alot more of Pavlik before we make these MMs.
There's no way we could forget because Sly brings that up every chance he can. Everyone repeat after me "If Barkley could do it..." ::
Granted, Hearns was knocked out twice at middleweight, more than any other division in which he campaigned. If he doesn't finish Pavlik off early, he wouldn't finish him off at all, and in fact would be shown the exit well before the final bell. I agree with whiskey, the fight doesn't go 6 either way. I'm more comfortable picking Pavlik to survive and conquer, though, because he's survived the type of punchers that would've otherwise knocked him out if his chin was a liability. i;m not ready to put Pavlik up against the greatest MW's of all time - but Hearns isn't part of that group. He's an all time great who campaigned for a time at middleweight, and its certainly not unrealistic to believe he gets got in this one.
Donny wants his boy to gain more experience before matching him against the best. If Pavlik fights Hearns now, his MM career might be over quick
Too many of the mythical matchups are either pound-for-pound, or based on recent fighters we know too little about. About 90% of the topics in this section are too far into fantasy for serious debate. Why not a current fighter against a current fighter in the same weight division, or two retired fighters in the same weight division?
:: Fair, Sly and Jake raise a good point. I guess my point is more when you take a current fighter who just "broke the big time" and match him up against a great/all-time great....you don't have enough perspective on one and you have the advantage of having the complete perspective on the career (and strengths/weaknesses) of another. For example, if Pavlik gets knocked out in his next fight, or suddenly looks sub-par against second-tier opposition...or if he gets knocked out in the Taylor rematch...or fights a tall figher who can box tight and use a stiff, hard jab and loses handily (even at a higher weight division, like say, Kessler)...I am sure the MM picks would change significantly. So I personally tend to stay away from knee-jerk MMs putting a fighter who just broke into the elite against all-time opponents. I've just always thought it's funny how all these MMs pop up after a fight like this. :: But frankly it's just a personal preference and you all are right...if someone wants to make an MM on it, by all means they should! Peace.
